Clinical correlates of perceived stigma among people living with epilepsy enrolled in a self-management clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stigma is a pervasive barrier for people living with epilepsy (PLWE) and can have substantial negative effects. This study evaluated clinical correlates of perceived stigma in a research sample of PLWE considered to be at high risk due to frequent seizures or other negative health events. METHODS: Analyses were derived from baseline data from an ongoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing an epilepsy self-management approach. Standardized measures assessed socio-demographics, perceived epilepsy stigma, epilepsy-related self-efficacy, epilepsy self-management competency, health literacy, depressive symptom severity, functional status, social support and epilepsy-related quality of life. RESULTS: There were 160 individuals, mean age of 39.4, (Standard deviation/SD=12.2) enrolled in the RCT, 107 (66.9 %) women, with a mean age of epilepsy onset of 23.9 (SD 14.0) years. The mean seizure frequency in the prior 30 days was 6.4 (SD 21.2). Individual factors correlated with worse perceived stigma were not being married or cohabiting with someone (p = 0.016), lower social support (p < 0.0001), lower self-efficacy (p < 0.0001), and lower functional status for both physical health (p = 0.018) and mental health (p < 0.0001). Perceived stigma was associated with worse depressive symptom severity (p < 0.0001). Multivariable linear regression found significant independent associations between stigma and lower self-efficacy (ß -0.05; p = 0.0096), lower social support (ß -0.27; p = 2.4x10-5, and greater depression severity (ß 0.6; p = 5.8x10-5). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived epilepsy stigma was positively correlated with depression severity and negatively correlated with social support and self-efficacy. Providers caring for PLWE may help reduce epilepsy stigma by screening for and treating depression, encouraging supportive social relationships, and providing epilepsy self-management support. Awareness of epilepsy stigma and associated factors may help reduce some of the hidden burden borne by PLWE.

A 6-month, prospective, randomized controlled trial of customized adherence enhancement versus a bipolar-specific educational control in poorly adherent adolescents and young adults living with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have addressed medication adherence in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with bipolar disorder (BD). This 6-month prospective randomized-controlled trial (RCT) tested customized adherence enhancement for adolescents and young adults (CAE-AYA), a behavioral intervention for AYAs versus enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU). METHODS: Inclusion criteria were AYAs age 13-21 with BD type I or II with suboptimal adherence defined as missing ≥20% of medications. Assessments were conducted at Screening, Baseline, and weeks 8, 12 and 24. Primary outcome was past 7 day self-reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ) validated by electronic pillbox monitoring (SimpleMed). Symptom measures included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). RESULTS: The mean sample age (N = 36) was 19.1 years (SD = 2.0); 66.7% (N = 24) female, BD Type I (81%). The mean missed medication on TRQ for the total sample was 35.4% (SD = 28.8) at screening and 30.4% (SD = 30.5) at baseline. Both CAE-AYA and ETAU improved on TRQ from screening to baseline. Baseline mean missed medication using SimpleMed was 51.6% (SD = 38.5). Baseline HAM-D and YMRS means were 7.1 (SD = 4.7) and 6.0 (SD = 7.3), respectively. Attrition rate at week 24 was 36%. Baseline to 24-week change on TRQ, adjusting for age, gender, educational level, living situation, family history, race, and ethnicity, showed improvement favoring CAE-AYA versus ETAU of 15%. SimpleMed interpretation was limited due to substantial missing data. There was a significant reduction in depression favoring CAE-AYA. CONCLUSIONS: CAE-AYA may improve adherence in AYAs with BD, although conclusions need to be made cautiously given study limitations. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04348604.

Paravertebral versus Pectoralis-II (Interpectoral and Pectoserratus) Nerve Blocks for Postoperative Analgesia after Non-Mastectomy Breast Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled, Observer-Masked Noninferiority Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pectoralis-II and paravertebral nerve blocks are both used to treat pain following breast surgery. Most previous studies involving mastectomy identified little difference of significance between the two approaches. Whether this is also accurate for non-mastectomy procedures remains unknown. METHODS: Participants undergoing uni- or bilateral non-mastectomy breast surgery anticipated to have at least moderate postoperative pain were randomized to a pectoralis-II or paravertebral block (90 mg ropivacaine/side for both). Surgeons and recovery room staff were masked to treatment group assignment, and participants were not informed of their treatment group. Injectate for pectoralis-II blocks was ropivacaine 0.3% (30 mL) per side. Injectate for paravertebral blocks was ropivacaine 0.5% (9 mL in each of 2 levels) per side. We hypothesized that pectoralis-II blocks would have noninferior (1) analgesia [Numeric Rating Scale] and (2) cumulative opioid consumption within the operating and recovery rooms combined (dual primary outcomes). The study was adequately powered with n=100, but the target enrollment was raised to n=150 to account for higher-than-anticipated variability. RESULTS: The trial was ended prematurely with 119 (79%) of the original target of 150 participants enrolled due to (masked) surgeon preference. Within the recovery room, pain scores were higher in participants with pectoralis-II (n=60) than paravertebral blocks (n=59): median [IQR] 3.3 [2.3, 4.8] vs 1.3 [0, 3.6]; 95% CI: 0.5 to 2.6; P < 0.001. Similarly, intravenous morphine equivalents were higher in the pectoralis-II group: 17.5 [12.5, 21.9] vs 10.0 mg [10, 20]; 95% CI: 0.1 to 7.5; P = 0.004. No block-related adverse events were identified in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Following non-mastectomy breast surgery, 2-level paravertebral blocks provided superior analgesia and opioid sparing compared with pectoralis-II blocks. This is a contrary finding to the majority of studies in patients having mastectomy in which little significant difference was identified between the two types of blocks.

A case study in science-to-service application of epilepsy self-management.

AIMS: Epilepsy self-management (ESM), the overall approach of reducing seizures and optimizing whole-health, is a targeted approach to improve population health for people with epilepsy (PWE). "Self-management for people with epilepsy and a history of negative health events" (SMART) is an 8-session group-format, remotely delivered ESM. This report describes the evolution of SMART development, testing and scale-up, taking advantage of ESM team expertise, community relationships and infrastructure established by social service agencies that deliver support to PWE. METHODS: This is a case-study dissemination and implementation (D&I) science-to-service model using the RE-AIM framework approach (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) focused on 5 dimensions of individual- and setting-level outcomes important to program adoption, impact and sustainability. Performance evaluations include participation representativeness, ESM attendance and acceptability as well as change in relevant health outcomes. RESULTS: SMART D & I is implemented via a collaboration of 3 unique regional, epilepsy-focused nonprofit social service organizations and a university team that developed SMART. The ongoing collaboration is expanding SMART delivery to PWE across 13 U.S. states. Thus far, we have trained 17 Nurse and Peer Educators (NEs and PEs). PEs (N = 10) have a mean age 51.1 (SD 10.4) years and a mean age of epilepsy diagnosis of 29.4 (SD 19.3). Of 128 participants offered SMART, and who provided age data (N = 86) mean age was 37.7 years (SD 14.4). Of participants who provided data on gender and race (N = 89), 65 were women (73.9 %), 18 African-American (20.2 %). Mean age of epilepsy diagnosis was 19.4 years (SD 16.6) and 59 (52.2 %) of PWE reported having seizures in the last 30 days pre-SMART sessions. Among those with attendance data (N = 103), mean number of SMART groups attended was 5.7 (SD 2.3). Mean values for past 30-day seizure frequency, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Inventory (GAD-7) and 10-item Quality of Life in Epilepsy Scale (QOLIE-10) for PWE that provided both pre and post SMART data were 7.6 (SD 15.8) vs 2.8 (SD 3.4) p = 0.3, 7.63 (SD 6.6) vs 6.3 (SD 5.7) p = 0.95, 6.6 (SD 5.7) vs 6.67(SD 5.3) p = 0.47 and 2.8 (SD 0.8) vs 2.7 (SD 1.0) p = 0.07 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing ESM using a RE-AIM/Iterative RE-AIM framework links intervention developers and community partners. While PWE have substantial barriers to health, including frequent seizures, they are able engage in the SMART program. Although a major limitation to patient-level evaluation is challenges in collecting post-SMART follow-up data, preliminary findings suggest a trend for improved quality of life.

Association Between Symptom Severity and Medication Adherence in Adults with Bipolar Disorder Reporting Adherence Challenges.

Background: Given the importance of medication adherence among individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), this analysis from an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the relationship between BD symptoms, functioning and adherence in 69 poorly adherent adults with BD. Method: Study inclusion criteria included being ≥ 18 years old with BD Type 1 or 2, difficulties with medication adherence and actively symptomatic as measured by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) score ≥ 36, Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) > 8 or Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) > 8. Adherence was measured in 2 ways: 1) the self-reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ) and 2) electronic pill container monitoring (eCap pillbox). BD symptoms and functioning were measured with the MADRS, YMRS, Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Only screening and baseline data were examined. Results: Mean age was 42.32 (SD = 12.99) years, with 72.46% (n = 50) female and 43.48% (n = 30) non-white. Mean past 7-day percentage of days with missed BD medications using TRQ was 40.63% (SD = 32.61) and 30.30% (SD = 30.41) at screening and baseline, respectively. Baseline adherence using eCap was 42.16% (SD = 35.85) in those with available eCap data (n = 41). Worse adherence based on TRQ was significantly associated with higher MADRS (p = 0.04) and CGI (p = .03) but lower GAF (p = 0.02). eCAP measured adherence was not significantly associated with clinical variables. Conclusion: While depression and functioning were approximate markers of adherence, reliance on patient self-report or BD symptom presentation may give an incomplete picture of medication-taking behaviors.

RETRACTED: Left hemisphere lateralization of the limbic system and frontoparietal network (FPN) correlates with positive and negative symptom improvement following cannabidiol (CBD) administration in psychosis and ultra-high risk (UHR) populations: A voxel-wise meta-analysis.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the authors when they discovered and reported to the editors that articles containing population samples drawn from similar cohorts of healthy participants without psychosis were erroneously included in the psychosis subgroup of the meta-analysis. This error in the systematic review processes ultimately affects the findings in the meta-analysis. The authors deeply apologize for this error.

Clinical correlates of negative health events and disparities among adults with epilepsy enrolled in a self-management clinical trial.

AIMS: Despite advances in care, people with epilepsy experience negative health events (NHEs), such as seizures, emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. This analysis using baseline data from an epilepsy self-management clinical trial targeting people from rural regions and other underserved populations assessed the relationship between demographic and clinical variables vs. NHEs. METHODS: Data to evaluate disparities and clinical correlates was collected using patient surveys from a baseline sample of 94 participants in a larger prospective study of 160 individuals with epilepsy who experienced an NHE within the last six months. Demographic characteristics, mental and physical functional status assessed using 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire version 2 (SF-36v2), depression assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), quality of life assessed with the 10-item Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-10), self-efficacy assessed the Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), social support assessed with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), self-management assessed with the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS), and stigma assessed with the Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS) were all examined in association with past 6-month total NHE frequency as well as NHE sub-categories of past 30-day and 6-month seizure counts, self-harm attempts, ED visits and hospitalizations. An exploratory evaluation of NHE correlates in relation to the Rural Urban Continuum Code (RUCC) residence classification compared 3 subgroups of increasing rurality. Descriptive statistics were generated for demographic and clinical variables and NHEs, and exploratory analyses compared the distribution of demographic, clinical, and NHE variables by RUCC categorization. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.5 years (SD 11.9), predominantly female (N= 62, 66.0%) and white (N=81, 86.2%). Just a little under half (N=43, 45.7%) of participants had annual incomes of less than $25,000, and 40% (N=38) were rural residents (RUCC >3). The past 6-month NHEs count was 20.4 (SD 32.0). Seizures were the most common NHE with a mean 30-day seizure frequency = 5.4 (SD 11.8) and 6-month seizure frequency of 18.7 (SD 31.6). Other NHE types were less common with a past 6-month self-harm frequency of 0.16 (SD 1.55), ED visit frequency of 0.72 (SD 1.10), and hospitalization frequency of 0.28 (SD 1.02). There were few significant demographic and clinical correlates for total and sub-categories of NHEs. Worse physical health status, as measured by the physical component summary (PCS) of the SF-36v2, was significantly associated with 6-month seizure counts (p=.04). There were no significant differences between the 3 RUCC subgroups on demographic variables. However, past 30-day seizure count, past 6-month seizure count and total past 6-month NHE counts were all higher among individuals from more rural settings (p-values <.01 for each). CONCLUSIONS: Rural adults with epilepsy were more likely to have a greater number of seizures and more epilepsy complications in general. Worse physical health function was also associated with more epilepsy complications. However, this analysis found few other demographic and clinical correlates of cumulative NHEs among adults with epilepsy. Additional efforts are needed to investigate health disparities among people with epilepsy who live in rural regions or who have poor physical health function.

Food Sovereignty and Health: A Conceptual Framework to Advance Research and Practice.

Settler colonialism disrupted traditional Indigenous foodways and practices and created high rates of diet-related disease among Indigenous peoples. Food sovereignty, the rights of Indigenous peoples to determine their own food systems, is a culturally centered movement rooted in traditional Indigenous knowledge. This approach directly intervenes upon systems-level barriers to health, making it an important strategy for health equity. While food sovereignty initiatives can be found within many Indigenous communities, the conceptual linkages between food sovereignty and health have not been well documented within the public health literature. We present a practice-informed conceptual framework developed as part of the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity (CIIHE) initiative, a community-academic partnership with the goal of strengthening Indigenous food systems and practices to promote health and well-being. The framework emphasizes connectedness, including the transmission of knowledge across generations and the restoration of relational responsibilities, as central to Indigenous concepts of health and wellness.

Supporting Traditional Foodways Knowledge and Practices in Alaska Native Communities: The Elders Mentoring Elders Camp.

The transmission of generational knowledge in Alaska Native communities has been disrupted by colonization and led to declining health among Alaska Natives, as evidenced by the loss of knowledge regarding traditional foods and foodways and increasing rates of cardiometabolic disorders impacting Alaska Natives. Elders play a central role in passing down this generational knowledge, but emerging Elders may have difficulty in stepping into their roles as Elders due to the rapid social and cultural changes impacting their communities. The Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) and the Denakkanaaga Elders Program are partnering with the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity to uplift and support traditional food knowledge and practices to promote health in Alaska Native communities. Guided by a decolonizing and Indigenizing framework, researchers at CANHR are working with Athabascan Elders in the Interior of Alaska to strengthen and protect the intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge and practices for emerging Elders. This community-academic partnership will implement and evaluate an Elders Mentoring Elders Camp to focus on repairing and nurturing relationships through the practice and preservation of cultural knowledge and practices, including traditional foodways. This initiative contributes to the intergenerational transmission of knowledge, which is necessary to keep culture alive and thriving.

Association Between Symptom Severity and Medication Adherence in Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder Demonstrating Suboptimal Adherence.

Objective: While medication non-adherence is common in bipolar disorder (BD), few studies have specifically assessed non-adherent BD adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This analysis, using screening and baseline data from an ongoing randomized controlled trial, examined the relationship between BD symptoms and adherence in poorly adherent AYAs. Methods: AYAs ages 13-21 had sub-optimal adherence defined as missing ⩾ 20% of prescribed BD medication. Mean sample (N = 36) age was 19.1 years (SD = 2.0), 66.7 % (N = 24) female, 25.0 % (n = 9) non-white. Adherence was measured via: 1) self-reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ) and 2) electronic monitoring (SimpleMed pillbox). Symptoms were measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). Results: Mean percentage of missed BD medications using TRQ was 34.9 (SD = 28.9) at screening and 30.6 (SD = 33.0) at baseline. Mean percentage of missed medication using SimpleMed at baseline was 42.1 (SD = 37.0). The correlation between TRQ and SimpleMed was r = 0.36 (p = 0. 13). Neither CGI nor age were correlated with adherence. Neither TRQ nor SimpleMed were significantly related to HAM-D. YMRS was positively associated with worse adherence for TRQ (r = 0.36, p = 0.03), but not significantly associated with SimpleMed. Adherence did not differ by other demographic attributes. Conclusion: Adherence levels varied widely in AYA with BD. Adherence monitoring increased adherence by approximately 4.5%, and use of electronic pill monitoring identified a greater proportion of missed medication vs. self-report. BD symptoms may not consistently identify AYA with adherence challenges.

Conceptualizing Indigenous strengths-based health and wellness research using group concept mapping.

BACKGROUND: In recent years public health research has shifted to more strengths or asset-based approaches to health research but there is little understanding of what this concept means to Indigenous researchers. Therefore our purpose was to define an Indigenous strengths-based approach to health and well-being research. METHODS: Using Group Concept Mapping, Indigenous health researchers (N = 27) participated in three-phases. Phase 1: Participants provided 218 unique responses to the focus prompt "Indigenous Strengths-Based Health and Wellness Research…" Redundancies and irrelevant statements were removed using content analysis, resulting in a final set of 94 statements. Phase 2: Participants sorted statements into groupings and named these groupings. Participants rated each statement based on importance using a 4-point scale. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to create clusters based on how statements were grouped by participants. Phase 3: Two virtual meetings were held to share and invite researchers to collaboratively interpret results. RESULTS: A six-cluster map representing the meaning of Indigenous strengths-based health and wellness research was created. Results of mean rating analysis showed all six clusters were rated on average as moderately important. CONCLUSIONS: The definition of Indigenous strengths-based health research, created through collaboration with leading AI/AN health researchers, centers Indigenous knowledges and cultures while shifting the research narrative from one of illness to one of flourishing and relationality. This framework offers actionable steps to researchers, public health practitioners, funders, and institutions to promote relational, strengths-based research that has the potential to promote Indigenous health and wellness at individual, family, community, and population levels.

Reducing Risk for Perioperative Anesthesia Complications.

Aging patients and outpatient settings add complexity to the anesthetic management of facial plastic surgery, which emphasizes a quiet surgical field and smooth perioperative journey, absent rocky emergence phenomena, postoperative nausea and vomiting, prolonged post-anesthesia care unit stays, or last-minute hospital admissions. Monitored anesthesia care can be ideal with proper patient selection and a conscientious provider, although overlooking potential risks has led to catastrophic consequences, including burns, hypoxic brain injury, and death. Inherently isolated, emergency preparedness is more crucial in outpatient settings, and includes emergency training and protocol availability along with the appropriate stock of emergency equipment and medication, including dantrolene and lipid emulsion.

Therapeutic interventions impact brain function and promote post-traumatic growth in adults living with post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies.

Introduction: The present systematic review and meta-analysis explores the impacts of cognitive processing therapy (CPT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and prolonged exposure (PE) therapy on neural activity underlying the phenomenon of post-traumatic growth for adult trauma survivors. Methods: We utilized the following databases to conduct our systematic search: Boston College Libraries, PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. Our initial search yielded 834 studies for initial screening. We implemented seven eligibility criteria to vet articles for full-text review. Twenty-nine studies remained for full-text review after our systematic review process was completed. Studies were subjected to several levels of analysis. First, pre-and post- test post-traumatic growth inventory (PTGI) scores were collected from all studies and analyzed through a forest plot using Hedges' g. Next, Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) coordinates and t-scores were collected and analyzed using an Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) to measure brain function. T-scores and Hedges' g values were then analyzed using Pearson correlations to determine if there were any relationships between brain function and post-traumatic growth for each modality. Lastly, all studies were subjected to a bubble plot and Egger's test to assess risk of publication bias across the review sample. Results: Forest plot results indicated that all three interventions had a robust effect on PTGI scores. ALE meta-analysis results indicated that EMDR exhibited the largest effect on brain function, with the R thalamus (t = 4.23, p < 0.001) showing robust activation, followed closely by the R precuneus (t = 4.19, p < 0.001). Pearson correlation results showed that EMDR demonstrated the strongest correlation between increased brain function and PTGI scores (r = 0.910, p < 0.001). Qualitative review of the bubble plot indicated no obvious traces of publication bias, which was corroborated by the results of the Egger's test (p = 0.127). Discussion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that CPT, EMDR, and PE each exhibited a robust effect on PTG impacts across the course of treatment. However, when looking closer at comparative analyses of neural activity (ALE) and PTGI scores (Pearson correlation), EMDR exhibited a more robust effect on PTG impacts and brain function than CPT and PE.

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Leveraging the Electronic Health Record for Data Collection and Quality Improvement.

As palliative care (PC) programs rapidly grow and expand across settings, the need to measure, improve, and standardize high-quality PC has also grown. The electronic health record (EHR) is a key component of these efforts as a central hub of care delivery and a repository of patient and system data. Deliberate efforts to leverage the EHR for PC quality improvement (QI) can help PC programs and health systems improve care for patients with serious illnesses. This article, written by clinicians with experience in QI, informatics, and clinical program development, provides practical tips and guidance on EHR strategies and tools for QI and quality measurement.

The Neurophysiology Behind Trauma-Focused Therapy Modalities Used to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Across the Life Course: A Systematic Review.

This review presents the current state of understanding of trauma-informed modalities in light of current research in neuroscience, analyzing which brain structures and processes are impacted by these modalities. Studies included in the present review met the inclusion criteria of 1) addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a specific population, 2) treatment of PTSD using any of the evidence-based trauma-informed modalities considered in this review, and 3) presenting functional magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI) data, derived from BOLD signals and voxel-compression maps, of brain structures impacted by these trauma-informed modalities. Articles for this review were collated through PubMed and MEDLINE, using key terms in descending order, such as 'childhood trauma', 'adolescent trauma', and 'adulthood trauma', to 'PTSD', 'fMRI', and so on, depending on the modality in question. Based on these criteria and research methods, 37 studies remained for inclusion in the present review. Among a number of critical findings, this review demonstrates that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and mindfulness therapy effectively deactivate hindbrain regions implicated in the downregulation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) hyperarousal. This review also shows that trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and EMDR activate the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)-areas that are implicated in crucial cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes that aid trauma survivors in navigating their challenges.

Stress and Susceptibility: A Systematic Review of Prenatal Epigenetic Risks for Developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

This review aims to systematically assess the current literature about prenatal epigenetic markers that lead to post-traumatic stress disorder susceptibility across the lifespan. Studies included in this review met several research criteria: Studies included (1) participants with a PTSD diagnosis according to the DSM-5, (2) prenatal epigenetic marker data that could be analyzed, and (3) explicit references to postnatal PTSD susceptibility. Our study sample fit within a timeframe of 2002 (the earliest recorded studies of prenatal susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder in the databases used) and February 2021 when the literature search for this review was terminated. Studies for this review were collated from PubMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Boston College School of Social Work Library databases. A systematic search was conducted in these databases using basic keyword terms, such as "PSTD resilience" and "PTSD vulnerability," and then adding clarifying terms to refine specific searches, such as "epigenetics," "genetics," "epigenetic markers," "haplotypes," and "mRNA methylation." Based on these criteria and research methods, 33 studies remained for inclusion in the review sample. This review suggests that BDNF Val66-Met, a polymorphism of FKBP5, and an altered messenger ribonucleic acid methylation marker in NR3C1 present most often in cases of PTSD. These epigenetic markers might be implicated in central neurological processes related to post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology.

Partnership to Develop and Deliver Curriculum Supporting Student-led Air Quality Research in Rural Washington State.

BACKGROUND: This article describes the process and educational materials developed and implemented for high school students through a partnership between an urban public university and a rural, non-profit university. This specific partnership was novel but originated within a long-standing community-academic partnership. This project took place in a rural community impacted by air pollution and a higher asthma hospitalization rate compared with the rest of the state. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this article are to describe the development and implementation of a high school program where students conducted their own research on local air quality using low-cost monitors with the guidance of undergraduate student mentors. METHODS: University faculty, researchers, and students collaborated to develop an air quality curriculum relevant to local issues. This curriculum was delivered to high school students through an existing after school program, and guided students in conducting their own research on community air pollution. The students used university-provided low-cost monitors for their research, and presented their research to community members. Student learning was supported through hands-on activities and conducting research projects. Student projects examined air quality variation indoors within their school, outdoors in their community, and at home. CONCLUSIONS: This curriculum can be adapted for use with students in many different communities. It will likely be most successful and engaging if adapted to local air pollution sources and issues, and implemented through an existing programmatic structure with a high mentor to student ratio.

Reclaiming Indigenous Health in the US: Moving beyond the Social Determinants of Health.

The lack of literature on Indigenous conceptions of health and the social determinants of health (SDH) for US Indigenous communities limits available information for Indigenous nations as they set policy and allocate resources to improve the health of their citizens. In 2015, eight scholars from tribal communities and mainstream educational institutions convened to examine: the limitations of applying the World Health Organization's (WHO) SDH framework in Indigenous communities; Indigenizing the WHO SDH framework; and Indigenous conceptions of a healthy community. Participants critiqued the assumptions within the WHO SDH framework that did not cohere with Indigenous knowledges and epistemologies and created a schematic for conceptualizing health and categorizing its determinants. As Indigenous nations pursue a policy role in health and seek to improve the health and wellness of their nations' citizens, definitions of Indigenous health and well-being should be community-driven and Indigenous-nation based. Policies and practices for Indigenous nations and Indigenous communities should reflect and arise from sovereignty and a comprehensive understanding of the nations and communities' conceptions of health and its determinants beyond the SDH.

Basal Infusion versus Automated Boluses and a Delayed Start Timer for "Continuous" Sciatic Nerve Blocks after Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The common technique using a basal infusion for an ambulatory continuous peripheral nerve blocks frequently results in exhaustion of the local anesthetic reservoir before resolution of surgical pain. This study was designed to improve and prolong analgesia by delaying initiation using an integrated timer and delivering a lower hourly volume of local anesthetic as automated boluses. The hypothesis was that compared with a traditional continuous infusion, ropivacaine administered with automated boluses at a lower dose and 5-h delay would (1) provide at least noninferior analgesia (difference in average pain no greater than 1.7 points) while both techniques were functioning (average pain score day after surgery) and (2) result in a longer duration (dual primary outcomes). METHODS: Participants (n = 70) undergoing foot or ankle surgery with a popliteal-sciatic catheter received an injection of ropivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine (20 ml) and then were randomized to receive ropivacaine (0.2%) either as continuous infusion (6 ml/h) initiated before discharge or as automated boluses (8 ml every 2 h) initiated 5 h after discharge using a timer. Both groups could self-deliver supplemental boluses (4 ml, lockout 30 min); participants and outcome assessors were blinded to randomization. All randomized participants were included in the data analysis. RESULTS: The day after surgery, participants with automated boluses had a median [interquartile range] pain score of 0.0 [0.0 to 3.0] versus 3.0 [1.8 to 4.8] for the continuous infusion group, with an odds ratio of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.23 to 7.84; P = 0.033) adjusting for body mass index. Reservoir exhaustion in the automated boluses group occurred after a median [interquartile range] of 119 h [109 to 125] versus 74 h [57 to 80] for the continuous infusion group (difference of 47 h; 95% CI, 38 to 55; P < 0.001 adjusting for body mass index). CONCLUSIONS: For popliteal-sciatic catheters, replacing a continuous infusion initiated before discharge with automated boluses and a start-delay timer resulted in better analgesia and longer infusion duration.